Bridle-bit



(No Model.) 2 Shee ts--`Sheet 1.

H. BALDRIDGE.

' BRIDLE BIT.

N0- 365,958 y Patented July 5, 1887.

Fly.

IH I

(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2. H. BALDRIDGE.

BRIDLE BIT;

Patented Ju1y5f1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN BALDRIDGE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

BRIDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 365.958, dated July 5, 1887.

` Application filed December 27, 1886. Serial No. 222,603. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN BALDRIDGE, a citizen of the `United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and usefullmproveinent in Bridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification.

The object/,of my invention is to produce a bridle-bit which may be used without injury upon the tenderest mouthed animals, but which will be eiiective in reining the most refractory animals, and 'will also serve to prevent horses from allowing their tongues to hang out of their mouths. When an unruly horse takes the bit in his teeth,7 as it is termed, he usually simply allows the bit to slide back and rest against the back teeth, so thatv no pressure is allowed to come against his cheeks, and it becomes impossible to control him.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan View of my improved hit. y Fig. 2 isa cross-section on line x x. Fig. 3 is a side view of the bit. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the modied form of the revolving gag, in which the plates are made thicker than that shown in the other figures; and Figs. 5 and 6, views illustrating t-he action of the The bit A is straight and has a revolving gag,O, secured thereto, leaving sui'iicient space between the gag and the rings D to admit the cheeks of the horse.

The operation of the bit is as follows: Vhen the bit lies at restin thehorses mouth, the gag C, comprising the plates BB,will lie ilat upon the jaw and tongue of the animal; but when it is desired to check the horse the pressure upon the reins will draw the bit back until the gag strikes the back teeth. A further pressure upon the bit will cause the gag to revolve, thus raising the bit and allowing it to pass over the back teeth, thus permitting the bit to come into Contact with thecheeks of the horse, thereby controlling him.

In order to prevent the horse from gripping v allowing the bit to extend through the opening formed by the troughs, as shown in Fig. 2. The broad surface formed by the plates B B serves to prevent the tongue of the horse from being raised above the teeth and allowed to hang out of the mouth.

This form of bit is easier on horses with tender mouths than the ordinary bit, as it has y a broader surface to rest upon the tongue and jaw, and the smaller portion of the bit does not come into Contact with the cheeks of the horse until unusual pressure is brought to bear upon the bit.

I am aware that it has been proposed to pro vide a bridle-bit with a gag, and I make no broad claim thereto.

Now,having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A bridle-bit comprising the straight bar A and a4 gag, C, comprising plates B B, provided each with a longitudinal depression to lit upon the bar and riveted together, substan tially as shown.

2. A bridlebit comprising the straight bar or bit A and a gag, C, journalcd thereon, made thicker at one end than at the other, substantially as set forth.

HERMAN BALDEIDGE. I

Vitnesses:

JAs. R. ToWNsEND, MAY G. HAMMOND. 

